“School Safety involves much more than what the media and the community focus on, so much more. The potential risks that students and staff face everyday run from “A to Z”, although the overwhelming focus nationally is on the “A” (Active Shooter). Yes, the “A” is a serious concern. However, from an overall risk management perspective, administrators must also prepare for the risks that statistically are present daily and more likely to occur. Protecting students, staff, visitors, property and to reduce overall general liability for schools must focus beyond the “A”.

D. Kevin Earp, MS, CSP, ARM, CSSM

M.S. Safety Management, Certified Safety Professional, Associate Designation Risk Management, Certified School Safety Manager

Founder and CEO of Earp Safety, LLC

Mr. Earp’s career in school safety includes 25 years as Director of Safety, Environmental Health, & Risk Management for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina) School District where he began as a one person safety department and over the years built a TEAM that eventually grew to 12 full-time professionally trained safety professionals and 25 part-time staff overseeing multiple risk management functions. His career has also included safety and facility management stints with Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte Knights AAA baseball team, and West Virginia University Athletic Department. Kevin serves on several boards including serving as past president of the Charlotte Regional Safety and Health School (CRSHS) and Tarheel Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and was elected to the Chapter Hall-of-Fame in 2023. He also currently serves as a contractor for the Charlotte Hornets and the National Basketball Association (NBA) for game day operations.

In 2023 he formed the Charlotte Regional Independent Schools in Safety (CRISIS) Network to assist the growing private & independent schools sector in the region.